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bsharkey
Reviews
1/2 Hour Comedy Hour (1989)
Half Hour Comedy Hour
the Half (1/2) Hour Comedy Hour was a great show that originally ran on Comedy Central in its infancy. It was composed of (mostly) short clips of comedians doing their stand-up acts live on stage. One of the best things about this program was it showed so many different comedians, many of whom were relative unknowns or upstarts in the very early stages of their careers.
I can't recall the name of the guy who was originally hosting the show (is it Mario Joyner??), but I think this gentlemen is currently can be found on TV wearing a red Pippi Longstocking style red wig in a Wendy's commercial. He did good intros and I believe was a budding comedian himself
I wish this show was still on in its same form, it would be a great way to see many different examples of live comedy in a short format program. Instead, Comedy Central has basically gone a different direction with almost no stand-up on the network, showing mainly sitcom type programs, fake news, and occasional movies.
Robot Jox (1989)
Robot fun
Note to previous reviewer: This movie is "science-fiction adaptation of the Iliad" according to the screenwriter. So whether the references are painful or not, no apologies, it is the basis for the film. They admit they stole...though adapted is the P.C. term.
Great flick but too short. Probably didn't come out as well as the author, director, or studio wanted, but pretty damn fun. The fact that the studio itself imploded during the making only helps add to its legacy.
A big-budget remake wouldn't be as fun, and probably wouldn't do the screenplay any more justice. But it's fun to dream about the potential there. A DVD release with some meager extras is apparently available but I don't think it would play on NTSC players. I'm no expert and thus still trying to figure this out. For now, I live with the VHS incarnation.
Phone Booth (2002)
avoid at all costs
Wow this movie was terrible: primarily due to the fact that it was predictable and boring. Colin Farrell certainly couldn't save it, so I didn't expect that Kiefer Sutherland would (even though I didn't realize he was cast in it since I had no desire to really see this movie in the first place).
When your first instinct says, a movie that entirely takes place in a phone booth, this is going to suck...and then you try to give it a chance but 1/4-way through you realize you're right, you just want it to end. Luckily this one doesn't go on for more than 2 hours or I'd probably shoot myself.
***-1/2 out of 10. Avoid at all costs.
Simply Irresistible (1999)
Simply the worst movie I've seen in a long time.
this movie was horrible, almost unwatchable - certainly qualifies as "very difficult" to sit through for the full length of the picture. I'm not a Gellar fan to begin with but what was she thinking when she did this stinker.
Never Been Kissed (1999)
not the worst high school movie put out by far...
i expected much less from this movie, but it wasn't half bad. excuse me, but i steer clear of 90% of these flicks and this one was no different - the trailer did nothing for me, in fact it may have actually repulsed me from ever even *thinking* about seeing it. call it bad marketing if you want or just my aversion to this genre of flicks. this movie reached a bit in a couple of spots, but nothing more than we see in the huge majority of films put out by Hollywood in this day and age. the rest of it was pretty enjoyable and darn it, dare i say interesting? some of the same tired cliches
were there, no high school movie would be made without them i guess, but they aren't as rampant as you might expect in this piece, and Barrymore's performance which i assumed would be ridiculous was at times admirable and the rest of the time passable.
next to the others i've seen (American Pie, She's All That), this was more than palatable. worth a viewing if you're so inclined, or even if you're not at first, like me. if you want a light entertaining teen- and 20-something movie, this just might worth your time.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
i gave it a 4.
this film has it's moments, but they're very few and quite far between. weak character development, muddled plot (at best) w/ weak storyline, trying to be saved by a few measly "twists and turns" that everyone seems to be enamored by these days. should be considered for one of the 10 worst movies of the year.
in the end, i have two words to sum up this dud -- absolutely stupid.
The Devil's Advocate (1997)
lawyers are evil, and this movie proves it.
a pretty decent performance by Reeves (for once), and definitely by Pacino and the supporting cast. a tad longer than i'll usually tolerate unless the story is really that involved, but it worked. better than i expected, and one that really makes you think.
Rudy (1993)
Notre Dame propaganda/recruiting film.
watching this was like sitting through a 2 hour propaganda piece on Notre Dame (the university, and it's football). thanks, but no thanks. if i want to be subjected to such brainwashing, i'll watch Reefer Madness! i gave it a "5". go Trojans...
Koneko monogatari (1986)
cool movie...but what the heck is CHATRAN?
i loved this movie as "Milo and Otis". i wish the IMDB had a separate listing for that movie to distinguish the voting etc from any other versions. i've never heard of "Chatran",
on the other hand...and btw, i'm sure those pets are fine! assuming they're still alive. this movie is now 9 years old and that's a lot in pet years...
Very Bad Things (1998)
everyone dies -- ok, almost
this one had its moments, but i would have a hard time recommending it. a VERY dark comedy which falls somewhat flat. there were certain artistic elements believe it or not that i liked and it was very tongue in cheek which made it hard not to chuckle at times unless you weren't smart enough to be in on the joke. also, the twist with Cameron Diaz' character (before the end) was slightly amusing. the acting and directing actually seemed to be above average, but what lacked the most was the writing.
There's Something About Mary (1998)
if you're not dying in the first 30 minutes, get up and leave!
this movie killed! one of those rare gems you actually think about going to see again (i never do this, but would make an exception).
the thing about Something About Mary is that i was under the impression that i would know all the jokes from the trailers going into the movie -- boy was i wrong. Not only were there 1000 other laughs that i didn't anticipate, the ones that were revealed in the previews were even funnier than i expected.
if you haven't seen this yet, what are you waiting for?